Monday, February 16, 2009

When Eating an Elephant...

I've admired the weekly and sometimes daily goals of Mary, Judy, Lori and Pat. I don't write weekly goals. I usually have a monthly mental goal of a project that I'd like to complete. Some weeks I get lots of sewing time and others not so much. All projects take longer than I anticipate.

Saturday, I decided to spend the day sewing. As I was working at the sewing machine, it occured to me that a plan that might work better for me would be to list the various steps of the project or projects that I needed to complete. I have 3 quilts that need to be completed before the end of May. Given a choice these are not the projects that I would choose to work on at this time. I listed all three projects in a Mead compotition book from the school supply section of the grocery store. I then listed all the steps needed to complete each project. If I only have a couple of minutes to sew, I can look at the list and go right to the next step that I'm ready to tackle. I'm hoping this approach will help motivate me to finish these projects so I can work on other quilts. Breaking down each step is like eating an elephant, one bite at a time.

This week is one of after school meetings and two night events. I probably won't get much sewing done, but this will help me squeeze in a couple minutes here, a couple minutes there.

We are having glorious weather here in Atlanta. Both yesterday and today, I had to get outside in the sunshine and just walk. Some of the trees are beginning to bud. I saw some daffodils blooming in a neighbor's yard. I've had enough of grey, dreary days. Hoping we have lots more days like today.

6 comments:

yes, breaking the whole project down ito steps makes it easier. instead of saying "I need this quilte done by June 1st" it will be --- sewn the 9 patches all together and trim next. Not near so overwhelming. And with the complettion of a step, go do something you REALLY like to do.

Oh my goodness, I'd forgotten how early spring comes to Atlanta. No signs of it here.

Good luck with the list. I have to be careful with mine that I don't do all the things I like to do first and then end up just with the things I don't like so much which is pretty much what happened this month.

I am so with you on setting the goals. I have always been the kind that had one machine work quilt and one hand work quilt going, and finished those before starting another. Since blogging, I have so many things in process and see so many more that I want to do and spend way too much time on the computer - - what's a girl to do???

You are being so sensible with your "elephant eating". I'm sure you will get the projects done now that you have them written down in steps. I am still working on Orange Crush and hope to get it done soon! My daffodils and forsythia are blooming too--spring and allergies:( are almost here.

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About Me

I am a wife, mother, and recenlty retired elementary school media specialist (librarian) with a passion for quilting, books, food and dogs! We are blessed with two sons and one dachshund. I live in a suburb north of Atlanta. My husband and I are Cajuns from Louisiana. We love LSU football!